WASHINGTON (ABP) – A new Gallup poll shows that, while personal measures of religious sentiment have remained fairly high among Americans, their membership in houses of worship continues a long decline and they increasingly believe that religion is losing influence…
Divide over Islam dominated religious-freedom news in 2010
WASHINGTON (ABP) — Judging from end-of-year assessments published in the last few days, there seems fairly universal agreement among close observers of faith and public life that the biggest religion story of 2010 in this country was also the biggest…
Indian Baptist educator breaks stained-glass ceiling
AIZAWL, India (ABP) — A Baptist leader and educator is poised to break barriers as the first woman ordained as a pastor by a Christian denomination in her northeast Indian state. The Telegraph of Calcutta reported that leaders in the…
Baptists debate social drinking
CARROLLTON, Ga. (ABP) — Two decades after declaring victory in the war over biblical inerrancy, Southern Baptists are battling about booze. Seeking to remain relevant in today's culture, many Baptists have abandoned former taboos against social activities like dancing and…
Baptist rower aiming for gold in 2012 Olympics
READING, England (ABP) — You may be hearing a lot more about Debbie Flood in the next 18 months. Already with two Olympic silver medals to her name, the British Baptist rower has genuine designs on a gold upgrade in…
Church names successor to slain pastor
MARYVILLE, Ill. (ABP) — Twenty-one months after its pastor was gunned down in the pulpit, First Baptist Church of Maryville, Ill., has chosen a new pastor. Tom Hufty Tom Hufty, vice president of collegiate affairs and assistant to the president…
Year in review: News makers in 2010
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is part of a cooperative effort to rebuild homes in Haiti. Using rubble from a family's previous home, permanent housing for earthquake victims can be built for about $3,000 (ABP) — The year 2010 began badly…
Year in review: Baptist deaths in 2010
(ABP) — Here are some notable Baptist newsmakers who died during 2010. — Bill Hogue, 82, former executive director of the California Southern Baptist Convention, Jan. 13. — Max Lyall, 71, a concert and church pianist who taught for 25…
Worth repeating: 2010 — the year in quotes
(ABP) — Here are some of the more memorable quotes that appeared in Associated Baptist Press stories and commentaries during 2010. "In the midst of your concern for me I want you to compare my situation with the 4 billion…